4 minute read
KENNY KRAVINGS
Review of three burger joints at the beaches
Jessica Golden | Design and Layout Editor
When I started thinking about what I was craving for Issue 4, I automatically thought ‘burgers’ because summer is the time for grilling and backyard cookouts. It just so happens that the best burger joints I could think of are all out at the beaches.
Graffiti Junktion is located in South Jacksonville Beach near Larry’s Giant Subs and Kazu Sushi Burrito. This restaurant offers indoor and outdoor seating and inside you’ll find the walls are filled with “graffiti” art. The name is fitting for the environment as it fits the beach culture with a laid back atmosphere and a young staff. Televisions with different sports playing at all times keeps the restaurant on its toes, especially when
Known for its Edgar Allen Poe themed decor, Poe’s Tavern is located in the Beaches Town Center in Atlantic Beach. The walls are lined with portraits of the American writer as well as quotes, poems and artifacts from his life and the restaurant is known for its gourmet hamburgers, which are all titled for and inspired by his poems.
The interior is dimly lit, most likely to resemble the ominous feeling that Poe portrays in many of his writings. I ordered the “Pit & Pendulum” burger, which comes with a half-pound beef patty with lettuce, tomato, pickles, fried onions, applewood bacon and cheddar cheese. It came with a side of fries, but you have the choice of potato salad, marinated bacon-blue cheese slaw or fresh fruit. The portion was large enough that my dad and I split it and were still full afterwards. The beef burger was $11.75, but all burgers can be made with your choice of beef, chicken or vegetable which are all prepared onsite.
The food at this restaurant is a bit heavier, meaning the meal filled me up much faster than normal burger joints and pricier. I would recommend it for a sit down dinner and be prepared to be extra full when you leave. Personally, I’d choose pants with an elastic waistband.
There are three M Shack restaurants: Beaches Town Center, St. John’s Town Center and Nocatee Town Center. In keeping with the theme, I visited the location in the Beaches Town Center next to Ragtime Bar. The staff was friendly and helpful during my entire experience. A few of them even thanked me for dining with them.
The patrons in the restaurant are your typical beach goers: no shoes, bathing suits and messy hair. M Shack is a counter service restaurant where you order at the register and sit wherever you please, then they give you a number and bring the food to you when it is ready.
The menus are written on large chalkboards. They have many different burger options as well as milkshake flavors that will blow your socks off. As well as the usual chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, M Shack offers Oreo cheesecake, pecan pie, peanut butter, cookies and cream, marshmallow brulee and Bananas Foster milkshakes.
I ordered the specialty M Burger with a side of house fries and a chocolate milkshake. The M burger has a beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles and “shack sauce.” While it seems like a regular burger joint, this burger hits the spot every time. The M burger was $6.89, which is the cheapest of all three venues, but this was the only place where the fries were not included. The milkshake was just the right consistency and compared to the chocolate milkshake at The Loop it is much thicker. It came in a plastic cup with an extra wide straw, priced at $3.75.
M Shack is an affordable pit stop on the way home from the beach or even to take a break from the sun in their “come as you are, order what you want” atmosphere.
there’s a big game on. While Graffiti Junktion is known for its burgers, labeling itself an “American Burger Bar,” the menu has a surprising variety of items. I ordered the build your own burger called the “Lil Juicy,” meaning the size of the beef patty is smaller than the other option serving size, called the “Big & Juicy.” It came topped with lettuce, tomato and pickles and I added American cheese. With the build your own option you are able to add any cheese, vegetables and other toppings such as bacon, avocado or fried egg. The “Lil Juicy” was $9.
Overall, the price was reasonable and the service was good. I would definitely recommend going here after spending a long day out in the sun on Jacksonville Beach for a relaxed meal.
